Vietnam, Belgium seek closer legislative ties

The Vietnamese and Belgian legislative bodies will maintain delegation exchange and experience sharing as well as working together to inspect the implementation of agreements reached by the two Governments.

These ideas were agreed during talks between National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and visiting President of the Senate of Belgium Christine Defraigne in Hanoi on November 3.

Host and guest voiced their wish that the two sides will further their coordination at multilateral forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) and the Francophone Parliamentary Alliance (APF), and support each other in issues of mutual concern.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung noted with joy that the relations between the two countries and their legislative bodies have grown at all levels over the past years.

According to the top legislator, bilateral trade valued at US$2.3 billion in 2014 and US$1.1 billion in the first half of this year. Belgium’s total investments in Vietnam neared US$500 million.

He expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to effectively implement inked projects and strengthen their cooperation in prioritised spheres such as logistics, high-tech, green growth and vocational training.

For her part, Christine Defraigne praised the countries’ partnership in training and health care, saying Vietnam and Belgium still boast substantial potential for cooperation.

She affirmed the Belgian Federal Parliament’s support for the relationship between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), as evidenced by Belgium’s ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the EU.

Belgium will work to push other EU member countries to soon approve the document, she stated.

Christine Defraigne and her entourage attended the plenary session of the on-going 13th National Assembly.

They were introduced to the year-end meeting’s heavy workload, which is expected to see the ratification of 18 draft laws, give feedback on other eight draft laws and a pile of reports, and adopt resolutions on the country’s key issues.

Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung told the guests that the legislature’s meetings will focus on the building of laws to institutionalise the Constitution, which was passed in 2013 with many new contents, including a chapter on human rights.

Christine Defraigne praised Vietnam’s efforts in handling the workload, particularly discussions about the elimination of death penalty for a number of crimes and the empowerment of prosecuting agencies, courts and lawyers.

She noted her hope that Vietnam will have more female legislators in the next tenure.

At his meeting with President of the Senate of Belgium Christine Defraigne in Hanoi on November 3, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan dung explained that cooperation between the two countries has yet to match their potential and strengths.

He has suggested Vietnam and Belgium develop new cooperation programmes to actualise efficiently reached cooperation agreements.

The government leader called for deepening the cooperation in a pragmatic and effective manner, particularly in economy, trade and investment, for mutual benefit and development.

Dung expressed his belief that the Belgian senator’s visit to Vietnam will be a milestone and actively contribute to enhancing the affiliation between the two legislatures and the two countries in general.

The host voiced his thanks for Belgium’s ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

He informed that the concluded Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement is likely to be signed in this December and called on the Belgian side to soon approve the deal thereafter.

The pact is of significant importance as it will open up opportunities for broader cooperation between Vietnam and the EU and Belgium in particular, he said.

The leader noted his hope that apart from economy, the countries will step up cooperation in culture, social affairs, science-technology, personnel training, health care and education and training.

He suggested Belgium grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students and create optimal conditions for the Vietnamese people’s integration in the host society.

In reply, Christine Defraigne said she is delighted with big strides in cooperation between the two countries over the past time, especially in investment and trade.

The guest conveyed her belief that with the fine political and diplomatic ties as the firm background, and with the goodwill and resolve of the two countries, the bilateral cooperation will thrive in the future.

She called on the Vietnamese Government to support Belgian firms to study, seek investment opportunities and run long-term business in the Southeast Asian country.

Belgium stands ready to partner with Vietnam in such realms as education-training, environmental protection, pollution treatment, medicine and pharmacy, she affirmed.

Hailing the dynamic Vietnamese community in Belgium, Christine Defraigne pledged that Belgium will create the best possible conditions for them to study and work in the country.

The Senate of Belgium always backs cooperation activities between the two Governments, she stated.

VNA